Neil Patrick Harris, star of the CBS comedy "How I Met Your Mother," will host the 61st PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles Sunday, Sept. 20 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.  Harris will also serve as a producer for the broadcast.

            "After having had such a hoot hosting the Tonys, I was thrilled to get the call about the Primetime Emmys," said Harris.  "I'm looking forward to the challenge of the show - adding my own voice to it, while honoring the nominees and the entire year in television.  But which voice to choose?  I'm torn between gangsta, foppish Brit, and robot.  Really proud of my robot.  We'll see what happens on the night."

            "We already knew Neil as a fantastic actor and performer, but after blowing everyone away as host of this year's Tony Awards, we couldn't think of anyone better to emcee the television industry's biggest award show," said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment.  "He is not only engaging as a host, but has great instincts when it comes to live television.  We feel like we're in great hands with Neil hosting and Don Mischer executive producing."

            "Neil is charming, funny, quick on his feet and very likeable," said Don Mischer, executive producer for the 61ST PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS.  "He has all the qualities you look for in a host.  We are really looking forward to working with him."

           Equally successful on stage and screen, Neil Patrick Harris's role as Barney Stinson in the hit CBS comedy series "How I Met Your Mother" recently garnered him a 2009 Golden Globe nomination and two consecutive Emmy Award nominations.  From his film debut opposite Whoopi Goldberg in "Clara's Heart," and his seminal role as the beloved titular character in "Doogie Howser, M.D.," to his recent turn in Joss Whedon's online sensation, "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog," Harris has enjoyed a successful career spanning more than 20 years in the industry.  Among his many theatrical credits include the dual role of The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in the Tony Award-winning production of "Assassins," as well as acclaimed performances in the Broadway productions of "Cabaret" and "Proof." Harris teamed with Kristin Chenoweth to announce last year's 60th Primetime Emmy nominations, and subsequently, he and Sarah Chalke co-hosted the "60th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards" telecast in 2008.  He recently wowed viewers as host of the "The 63rd Annual Tony Awards."

           The 61ST PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS is being produced by Don Mischer Productions.  Multiple Emmy Award winner Don Mischer recently produced and directed "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial," and the Bruce Springsteen Super Bowl XLIII Halftime Show.  Nominations for the 61ST PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS will be announced July 16 at 5:40 a.m. (PT) from the Television Academy's Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood. 

*   *   *

Press Contacts:

CBS Publicity:

Phil Gonzales                818-655-1580             phil.gonzales@cbs.com

Andrea Ballas               818-655-1581             andrea.ballas@cbs.com

CBS Photo:

Francis Cavanaugh       818-655-1540             francis.cavanaugh@cbs.com

Gaye Ann Bruno           818-655-1542             gayeann.bruno@cbs.com

The Lippin Group for the Television Academy:

Robin Mesger               323-965-1990             rmesger@lippingroup.com

Lauren Kelcher             323-965-1990             lkelcher@lippingroup.com